WHEREAS,IC 10-14-3-12 provides that the governor shall declare a disaster emergency by executive order if he determines that a disaster involving widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property has occurred or that the occurrence or threat of a disaster is imminent;

WHEREAS, beginning on April 17, 2013, and continuing through April 19, 2013, a severe weather system moved through the central portion of Indiana bringing up to five inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period over ground that was already saturated;

WHEREAS, the weather system included severe storms, heavy rains, and flooding and caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public property;

WHEREAS, numerous state, federal, and local roads throughout the affected counties became impassable due to storm debris or high water; and

WHEREAS, the storms and flooding resulted in extensive damage to roads, sewer systems, and other public property as well as debris removal requirements that have strained the resources of local units of government attempting to replace, repair, and restore public infrastructure damaged by flooding.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael R. Pence, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Indiana, do hereby: